When do the summer crowds subside?

[oldhat]

I'd originally planned my Camino for early May through June, and still may do that, but there's also a possibility I might have to postpone until later in the year. I'd like to avoid peak season on the Camino Frances, so can anyone tell me at what point the crowds start to lessen? August? September? Thanks!

 

[Mark Lee]

Don't know what the official numbers are, but I have done Caminos from the months of June through September, and the only time I encountered high volumes of fellow pilgrims was on the stretch between O'Cebreiro and Santiago. Otherwise, the numbers weren't high at all. Some days were downright sparse.
I would say unless you walk it very early in the season, or very late, you will encounter a lot of pilgrims the last 100 km or so.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Here in Moratinos and at San Anton de Castrojeriz, right in the middle section of the Frances, we see a surge in September and a big drop-off in October. September can be downright hectic, due to everyone who waited to "beat the summer crowds!" Early in the year May is our heaviest month.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Keep in mind that this year the Pope has declared as being a special year with the Puerta del perdon being open.

Last night I was reading interesting stats about the origins of the Camino. Numbers surged from in the 40s per year, to the 4000s on the "Holy Years", when the 25th of July falls on a Sunday. Apparently there was little interest in heading out if not on Holy Year.

 

[whariwharangi]

Mid November when the weather includes frost in the morning.

 

[NavyBlue]

Hi,

Monthly statistics are available here : http://peregrinossantiago.es/fra/bureau/statistiques/

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

I'd originally planned my Camino for early May through June, and still may do that, but there's also a possibility I might have to postpone until later in the year. I'd like to avoid peak season on the Camino Frances, so can anyone tell me at what point the crowds start to lessen? August? September? Thanks!

'all' the young spaniards walk in july and august, as well as most of the spaniards that are not unemployed. pilgrims from abroad appear to favour may and september, all the way into october... so in your case, i would definitely avoid june, july and august and first half of september (and this year we are set for all time records with the holy year of mercy . in any case, most of the 'crowds' happen within a 200 km radius of SdC. check out the pilgrim's office stats for lots of info regarding numbers in previous years. buen camino!

 

[vgen5122]

I walked late August, all of September 2013 and the only crowds I saw were the cities like Ponferrada, Burgos, etc. I think later in the year (like the autumn months) is a good time to go. The students are heading back to school, but the Camino still has traffic so that pilgrims are not alone for very long stretches. I would think that if a person began their Camino May-June the opposite would be true because school graduations start in May and so does summer vacations in many places. it really comes down to what you want in your experience. Remember that it's your journey. Buen Camino.

 

[Pingüigrino]

I'd originally planned my Camino for early May through June, and still may do that, but there's also a possibility I might have to postpone until later in the year. I'd like to avoid peak season on the Camino Frances, so can anyone tell me at what point the crowds start to lessen? August? September? Thanks!

Hello oldhat. . Months of July and August are the months of higger number of pilgrims arriving to Santiago. BUT! This is because crowds of people are walking the last 100 km. Galicia is a part of Spain with a smother weather than Castilla, Navarra or Rioja and many people take advantage of this for "to do " El Camino.
Walking the Camino in summer time can be hard, and people prefers to stay in the beach, but you can find a number of walkers or bikers sweating like ducks in the oven all along the way.
Is during the month of September when you´ll find "the ordes" on The Way. Thousands of pilgrims competing for a bed
The best period for the French Camino? I think from October to November and from April to May. It depends of the weather. June coul be a little hot, and a little busy but maybe not. Of course nothing compared to September. Buen Camino.